Elmer Mathews, 81, of Joaquin, passed away Friday, December 25, 2015 in Nacogdoches, Texas.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday, December 27, 2015 at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, December 28, 2015 at Center Christian Fellowship with Bro. David Long and Bro. Don Murphree officiating. Interment will follow at Joaquin Cemetery in Joaquin.

Mr. Mathews was born September 19, 1934, in Joaquin to Andrew R. Mathews and Florence MaeDell Taylor. Mr. Mathews spent his life as a pastor, teacher, principal, and Juvenile Probation Officer. Mr. Mathews retired after 37 years of teaching with 32 years of that serving as principle at Fellowship Elementary School. He also was a teacher at Texas A&M fire school for 18 years. After a brief retirement of 2 hours, he quickly took the job as Shelby County Juvenile Probation Officer. He was a founding member of the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department in 1973. He served the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department as Chief from 1977-1987 and then again 1993-2000 while also serving as a training officer and chaplain. Mr. Mathews was a pastor for 55 years with 43 of those years pastoring at Good Hope Baptist Church and also was a pastor at Old Center Baptist Church. Mr. Mathews was a long time Joaquin football fan and rarely missed a game. Mr. Mathews loved to fish and camp and most of all spending time with his family.

He is survived by

Wife of 58 years:
Dorothy Mathews of Joaquin

Sons:
Rodney Mathews and wife Denise of Center
Spencer Mathews and wife Teresa of Kountze

Daughter:
Nancy Smith and husband Frank of North Richland Hills

Grandchildren:
Matt Scales
Trey Scales
Lindsay Clark
Amber Mathews
Allen Mathews
Kennedi Mathews
Reagan Mathews

10 Great-Grandchildren

Brothers:
Johnny Mathews and wife Lorelei of Huxley
Don Mathews of Sour Lake

Sister-in-law: Maurice Clark

2 Nieces and 1 Nephew

A host of Family and Friends

Preceded in death by
Parents: Andrew R. Mathews and Florence MaeDell Mathews
Son: William "Bill" Mathews
Brother: Jerry Banks Mathews

Pallbearers will be Matt Scales, Trey Scales, Allen Mathews, David Clark Sr., Cody Barton, Steve Cockrell, Billy Mac Wilson.
Honorary Pallbearers will be the Joaquin Fire Department and Center Fire Department

In lieu of flowers or donations can be made to the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department.